I'm planning to get a CDI roller furler for my 26D. How does this change the process of raising and lowering the mast? I'm having trouble picturing this. Thanks!
Mast Raising with Roller Furler
- Thread starter csobalvarro
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awkward
The CDI furler will follow the mast as you lower it. It helps to have someone follow and keep it from dragging on the deck or falling off the side. Same for raising. You have to leave your furling line free too. Awkward, but the furler is real nice to have. We leave our boat in a slip, so we only go thru this ritual twice a year.
The CDI furler will follow the mast as you lower it. It helps to have someone follow and keep it from dragging on the deck or falling off the side. Same for raising. You have to leave your furling line free too. Awkward, but the furler is real nice to have. We leave our boat in a slip, so we only go thru this ritual twice a year.
Ouch!
The advantages of the furler outweigh the problems of its hampering mast raising. However, it can cause problems. The first thing is not to force the mast. Track down the resisitance and correct otherwise you will be repairing or replacing parts and connections. Watch everything and make sure that they are clear and not twisted: forestay shackles, shrouds, deck fixtures. I installed shackles to lower all of my life lines so that I only have to lift over the stanchions. Keep the furling close to the mast and walk the furler back. As you can see this is really a two-person job. It does get easier. Good luck.
The advantages of the furler outweigh the problems of its hampering mast raising. However, it can cause problems. The first thing is not to force the mast. Track down the resisitance and correct otherwise you will be repairing or replacing parts and connections. Watch everything and make sure that they are clear and not twisted: forestay shackles, shrouds, deck fixtures. I installed shackles to lower all of my life lines so that I only have to lift over the stanchions. Keep the furling close to the mast and walk the furler back. As you can see this is really a two-person job. It does get easier. Good luck.
Still not visualizing it
Still not visualizing how the forestay with furler attaches to the mast raising system. As I understand it, the furled sail and the furling hardware installs on top of (or replaces) the forestay. Given the forestay is also what has the hardware where you attach the mast raising pole, I'm not clear how this all fits together.
Still not visualizing how the forestay with furler attaches to the mast raising system. As I understand it, the furled sail and the furling hardware installs on top of (or replaces) the forestay. Given the forestay is also what has the hardware where you attach the mast raising pole, I'm not clear how this all fits together.
old system / new system
You must be using the old raising system. The system BWY sells contains a bail that you install on the mast. You hook to the bail and not the forestay.
You must be using the old raising system. The system BWY sells contains a bail that you install on the mast. You hook to the bail and not the forestay.
mast raising
The system I bought doesn't use the forestay to raise the mast. A line runs from the pole to a spot 72" up from the bottom of the mast. This is also where the baby stays connect.
The system I bought doesn't use the forestay to raise the mast. A line runs from the pole to a spot 72" up from the bottom of the mast. This is also where the baby stays connect.
The light goes on!
Ahh, so that makes a lot of sense. I couldn't picture how the forstay could be used for mast raising AND hold the furler at the same time.
Ahh, so that makes a lot of sense. I couldn't picture how the forstay could be used for mast raising AND hold the furler at the same time.
2 - person mast raising...
The stock mast raising system that connects to the tang about 2 feet up the forestay can no longer be used. Quite frankly, I think that system just adds time and complexity to mast raising. If you have an assitiant, even an 8 year old, here's what to do... With the mast in position and ready to raise: 1. Grasp firmly while standing as far aft on deck as possible. 2. Take a deep breath. 3. Raise the mast to vertical in one smooth constant motion. (If you can lift 50 pounds, you can do this.) 4. Have your assistant pull on the furler drum walking backwards toward the bow as you lift. (This will reduce your load, and prevent hte furler from dragging.) 5. Ask your assistant to set down the furler, and come back and hold the mast vertical. (Takes about 5 pounds of force.) 6. As you assistant takes hold of the mast, take the jib halyard forward (keeping tension on so that you in fact are really holding hte mast vertical). 7. Clip the jib halyard onto a dockline you've attached by bitter end to the bow cleat. 8. Sweat up the jib halyard to pull the mast forward hard against the shroud tension (backstay should be loose). 9. Pin the forestay. 10. Release jib halyard and remove dockline. Note: If you don't have an 8 year old (or greater) to assist, loop the furler back on itself (in a gentle arch) and attach to the mast, so it doesn't drag while you do it yourself. Note: You can leave the foresail on the furler to trailer, making rigging and getting underway from the ramp, easier and faster with furling than without. "SAY WHAT?!?!?!?" (You read right, EASIER AND FASTER with furling.)
The stock mast raising system that connects to the tang about 2 feet up the forestay can no longer be used. Quite frankly, I think that system just adds time and complexity to mast raising. If you have an assitiant, even an 8 year old, here's what to do... With the mast in position and ready to raise: 1. Grasp firmly while standing as far aft on deck as possible. 2. Take a deep breath. 3. Raise the mast to vertical in one smooth constant motion. (If you can lift 50 pounds, you can do this.) 4. Have your assistant pull on the furler drum walking backwards toward the bow as you lift. (This will reduce your load, and prevent hte furler from dragging.) 5. Ask your assistant to set down the furler, and come back and hold the mast vertical. (Takes about 5 pounds of force.) 6. As you assistant takes hold of the mast, take the jib halyard forward (keeping tension on so that you in fact are really holding hte mast vertical). 7. Clip the jib halyard onto a dockline you've attached by bitter end to the bow cleat. 8. Sweat up the jib halyard to pull the mast forward hard against the shroud tension (backstay should be loose). 9. Pin the forestay. 10. Release jib halyard and remove dockline. Note: If you don't have an 8 year old (or greater) to assist, loop the furler back on itself (in a gentle arch) and attach to the mast, so it doesn't drag while you do it yourself. Note: You can leave the foresail on the furler to trailer, making rigging and getting underway from the ramp, easier and faster with furling than without. "SAY WHAT?!?!?!?" (You read right, EASIER AND FASTER with furling.)
Mast raising
I don't know how the factory system works, but I use the jib halyard tied off to the stepping post. I have installed a cheap winch at the top of the post and just run the strap to the deck cleat at the bow. Crank the winch and up it goes, if you set the post back at about 80 deg instead of 90 you can also get enough tension to easily attatch the furler. When trailering I support the furling drum by lashing a couple of broomsticks to it and securring them to the bottom of the mast.
I don't know how the factory system works, but I use the jib halyard tied off to the stepping post. I have installed a cheap winch at the top of the post and just run the strap to the deck cleat at the bow. Crank the winch and up it goes, if you set the post back at about 80 deg instead of 90 you can also get enough tension to easily attatch the furler. When trailering I support the furling drum by lashing a couple of broomsticks to it and securring them to the bottom of the mast.
Be Careful
I recently had to replace my forstay cuz of it being kinked too many times raising and lowering the mast with roller furler. I've stopped the forstay from kinking at the top by lashing the whole works, sqail and all, to the mast as I raise it with the jib halyard. Just pull the forstay tight against the mast making sure it is not kinked at the mast connection point. I usually cannot raise the mast in one smooth motion. I usually have to cleat the jib halyard off somewhere and find out where the hang up is. At this time you should walk the furler drum out forward away from the mast as it will start to hang up on the deck. When the mast is all the way upright unlash the forstay from the mast, walk it forward and pin it. Just a note. Maybe I'm slow or something but I've never been able to rig my boat, drop it in the water and be sailing in less than an hour.
I recently had to replace my forstay cuz of it being kinked too many times raising and lowering the mast with roller furler. I've stopped the forstay from kinking at the top by lashing the whole works, sqail and all, to the mast as I raise it with the jib halyard. Just pull the forstay tight against the mast making sure it is not kinked at the mast connection point. I usually cannot raise the mast in one smooth motion. I usually have to cleat the jib halyard off somewhere and find out where the hang up is. At this time you should walk the furler drum out forward away from the mast as it will start to hang up on the deck. When the mast is all the way upright unlash the forstay from the mast, walk it forward and pin it. Just a note. Maybe I'm slow or something but I've never been able to rig my boat, drop it in the water and be sailing in less than an hour.
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